Laurel
Highland Farm is proud to provide a home to one of the largest herds of Fell
ponies outside of their native Cumbria. This includes three imported and licensed Fell stallions,
exceptional quality mares, as well as our homebred youngstock.
Laurel Highland Fell ponies have found
wonderful homes coast-to-coast, including California, Washington, Arizona, Texas,
Maryland, Minnesota,
Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, North Carolina, New
York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Missouri, Virginia, and - most recently - back in
England!

When we started breeding Fell ponies there were only about 20
in North America! With still only about 300 Fell ponies living on this continent,
many of which we have owned or bred, Fells remain quite rare, just as they are
in their homeland. A native breed from England, the Fell
pony is probably one of their best-kept secrets! The Fell pony is a versatile, sure-footed, larger- type pony that stands
at less than 14 hands and is used for riding, driving and jumping by both children and
adults alike. The Fell is also well known for its stamina and wonderful
temperament. All of these traits have contributed to its frequent use in the UK by their
Handicapped Riders' Association. The Fell is usually black with a long mane and tail,
luxurious "feather", and well-balanced knee and hock action. This may sound like the description
of a Friesian , but there is a big difference -- about two to three hands!
Seriously, aside from general similarities to the Friesian, the Fell is a unique and
wonderful pony breed. In many ways, despite being smaller it is superior
to the Friesian - most notably because of its natural stamina which Friesians
typically lack! Indeed, it comes as no surprise to Fell enthusiasts that
the Duke of Edinburgh, despite having his pick of all the many other native pony
breeds, drives Her Majesty's team of Fells regularly in combined driving
competition. HM the Queen
is also the patron of the Fell Pony Society in the UK.

Centuries ago, the vast majority
of Fells were also black or dark-colored. But during their history, the grey color
was introduced, mainly because the monks who rode them preferred white ponies! Today, Fell
ponies are predominantly black, although other solid colors are allowed. A small
star is not uncommon, and a
little white on or below the hind fetlock, although less common, is also
permitted.

The similarities between the Friesians
and Fells are more than coincidence. Back in Roman times, Emperor Hadrian
decreed that a wall should be built, stretching across what is now roughly the
border between England and Scotland. This is in the vicinity of what is
now Cumbria, where the "hills" are also called "fells". Stallions
were brought there by Friesian mercenaries in the Roman army during the
construction of Hadrian's Wall, and this is the basis for a popular theory about
the origin of the Fell pony -- i.e., that the "breed originated by
crossing Friesian stallions with native ponies at Hadrian's Wall."
However, based on very recent research, this explanation for the origin of the
Fell pony is surely a myth. In fact, there are fossils resembling the Fell pony
in England dating back to 60,000 B.C. -- long before the Romans ever invaded
British shores. The Fell pony is perhaps the most similar living prototype
of its prehistoric ancestor - the so-called "Forest Horse", which should really
have been called a "pony" based on fossil evidence. This "Forest pony",
which might well be considered the "father" of many draft-type breeds, was
probably dark-colored and had broad feet, heavy bone, feather and long manes and
tails. Long before Roman times, this type was common not only in England
but also in France, which were connected by a land bridge before the English
Channel formed, as well as in the "Low Countries" (Netherlands). In fact,
the fossils at the Roman Wall of the "Forest" type are nearly identical in size
with the Fell pony, not the Friesian! Thus, this common prehistoric
ancestor -- the Forest "pony" -- is the most likely explanation for the
resemblances between the modern Fell pony, the Friesian horse and others,
including the Merens pony from France and other breeds in Scandinavia. For
more information, see the upcoming book, The Fell Pony
Family Album.

As North Americans begin to discover this delightful and
versatile breed, Fells are quickly becoming very popular here. Over many
years, we have gradually built our herd by carefully selecting only the best
quality foundation breeding stock -- not only for the foals we produce but also
for the future of the breed in North America. We hope you will join us in
helping to promote and preserve this rare
treasure!